Continuous filament slide fastener



Sept. 26, 1967 w. v. CHERY CONTINUOUS FILAMENT SLIDE FASTNER Filed Nov. 1o, 1964 T NH EU 0 2 v W mk nL 2 wmf 3 Y w nf. ..2

United States Patent Office 3,343,234 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 3,343,234 CONTINUOUS FILAMENT SLIDE FASTENER Walter Valdemar Chery, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Nov. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 410,173 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-205.1)

This invention relates to slide fasteners of the continuous plastic filament type and more particularly to an improved fastener structure of this type for 'attaching the fastener elements to a flexible member such as a tape in such a manner as to cover the fastener elements.

Many types of continuous filament slide fasteners are now in general use. These constructions usually are of the modified spiral coil type or of the so-called meander or ladder type. All of such filamentary structures are usually attached to the marginal edge portion of a fiexible supporting member or tape by means of stitching.

In some fasteners of this type the filamentary structure or fastener elements are exposed and visible when the fastener is closed between the edges of the two strips when viewed from the front which is oftentimes for various reasons objectionable. Various ideas have been suggested for shielding or covering the outer surface of the filamentary structure but some of these have not been entirely satisfactory and it is to a new and novel filamentary fastener structure and method of attaching the same to a flexible member such as a tape that the present invention relates.

According to the present invention, the continuous filamentary fastener structure is deformed longitudinally along the inner edge thereof s o that the -connected series of fastener elements have a substantially saddle-like flat inner edge surface and are unsymmetrical in cross section with a cord and tape attached to the fiattened portions of the structure by a longitudinally extending line of stitching with the tapes folded upon themselves and arranged so that the opposing folds of the tapes substantially abut one another centrally of the fastener when the same is closed.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a continuous filamentary fastener structure of the coil or coil-meander type having its shape modified so as to provide a covered fastener which will function identically with the conventional type coil fastener 'and other types of covered fasteners.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, several embodiments which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of our form of continuous filamentary structure of connected fastener elements of the coil or spiral type to which the present invention relates,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of another form of continuous filamentary 4structure of connected fastener elements of the so-called coil-meander type also to which this invention relates,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating diagrammatically one method of deforming the filament structure to produce a fastener element in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 4 is-a similar cross-sectional view illustrating diagrammatically another method of deforrning the filament structure,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the continuous fastener element after it has been deformed showing a cord positioned in the saddle-like portions which is the rst step in accordance with the method of making a lstringer of the preferred construction,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing both a cord and a tape attached to the deformed filamentary structure so as to provide a completed fastener Stringer in accordance with the preferred embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a completed and interlocked fastener showing another embodiment of a stringer construction in accordance with the present method,

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a completed and interlocked fastener showing still another embodiment of a Stringer construction in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of completed interlocked fastener stringers of the preferred embodiment showing the fastener elements in interengaged relation to form a fastener of the preferred construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a continuous filamentary structure or fastener element of one type which may be used in the practice of the present invention. This structure which is usually made from a plastic filament such as nylon, Perlon, etc., is of the so-called coil or spiral type which consists of a series of longitudinally extending interconnected convolutions 2 preferably oval or oblong shape in cross section which structure may be formed in any desired manner as is well known to those skilled in the art. Each of these convolutions has a substantial U-shaped fastener element or scoop portion 3 on one side thereof and a heel or attaching portion 4 on the opposite side thereof.

In FIG. 2 there is illustrated another filamentary structure of a fastener element which also may be used in the practice of the invention and which is usually called the meander or coil-ladder type construction. In this construction, there is provided a continuous filamentary structure having a series of U-shaped, fastener element or scoop portions 5 at one side thereof which are usually deformed centrally thereof so as to provide an interlocking head portion 6 arranged one behind the other substantially in parallel relation and so as to provide two series of transverse portions 7 and 8 in juxtaposition with the transverse portions in one series being substantially parallel to one another and with the inner end of each of said transverse portions in each of said series being connected only to the inner end of a preceding transverse portion in the other series, as at 9, at the other side thereof and the inner end of the opposed transverse portions in the other series being connected only to a succeeding transverse portion in the other series, as at 10, so as to provide a series of substantially U-shaped heel portions 12 at the inner ends of the transverse portions in substantially longitudinal alignment with one another.

According to the preferred form of the present invention, either of the filamentary structures, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is deformed longitudinally only on one side thereof adjacent the outer side inwardly of the heel portions 12 so as to provide substantially saddle-like portions 13 in each convolution or transverse portion on that side of the structure adjacent the heel portions having an unsymmetrical cross-section with the transverse portions at the outer edge of the structure disposed substantially in juxtaposition relative to the opposed transverse portion. This deformation of the filamentary structure may be performed by any suitable means as by a swaging tool or forming roll or wheel W, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3 it will be seen that a pair of fiamentary structures or certain fastener elements are deformed simultaneously after they have been interengaged and in FIG. 4, a pair of filamentary structures are shown being deformed simultaneously before they are interengaged. Either method may be practised as desired and by the most practical method under the circumstances.

After the filamentary structure or continuous fastener element has been deformed as above described, a suitable elongated flexible member preferably a cord C as shown in one embodiment, is positioned in the successive series of saddle-like portions 13 of the filamentary structure inwardly of but adjacent the heel portions 12, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The marginal edge portion M of a flexible member, preferably an elongated tape T, preferably folded upon itself, as at F, is then positioned on top of the cord C, as shown in FIG. 6, opposite the saddle-like end portions 13 so as to partially overlie the U-shaped scoop portions and which is adapted to act as a cover therefor. The marginal edge portion M of the tape T together with the cord C is then securely attached to the convolutions or transverse portions of the filamentary structure, preferably, by means of a line of stitching S, as shown in FIG. 8, which stitches pass through the tape and cord and between and around the convolutions or transverse portions of the fllamentary structure and so that the edge of the fold F is positioned substantially centrally of the scoop portions 5. This completes the steps in accordance with this method and as a result it will be seen that there is provided a completed stringer for a slide fastener.

The modified construction, as shown in FIG. 7, is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 and differs therefrom in that the marginal edge portions M of the tapes T are first disposed in the saddle-like end portions 13 of the fastener structure with the folds F in the tape overlying the scoop portions 5 of the fastener elements. There is then positioned on the marginal edge portion M of the tape in the saddle-like end portions 13, a longitudinally extending cord C. The marginal edge portion together with the cord is then attached to the transverse portions of the series of fastener elements preferably by means of the longitudinally extending line of stitching S as before with the folds F abutting one another so as to completely cover the fastener structure.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings there is shown another embodiment of a filamentary fastener element structure in accordance with the invention in which the transverse portions or convolutions of the fastener elements are deformed on each side so as to provide saddle-like end portions 21 on each side with an interlocking substantially U-shaped head portion 22 arranged to one side or outer end thereof and a heel portion 23 at the opposite side or inner end thereof. In this construction, there is disposed a longitudinally extending cord 24 positioned in the saddle-like end portions 21 on opposite side of the elements in opposed relation. An elongated tape 25 is then positioned on top of each of the cords 24 both of which are folded upon themselves, as at 26, so as to provide marginal edge portions 27 abutting each other which cover the fastener structure on both sides of the fastener.

On the opposite side of this lamentary structure there is positioned another elongated tape 28 which is folded upon itself, as at 29, and has a marginal edge portion 30. These marginal edge portions 27 and 30 of the respective tapes 25 and 28 are then attached to the cords 24 and the saddle-like portions 21 preferably by means of a longitudinal line of stitching 31. Either or both of the tapes 25 and 28 may be made of fabric, rubber or any other suitable material. The tapes 25 and 28 are then attached together preferably by means of a longitudinally extending line of stitching 32. In this construction it will be seen that the folded edges 26 and 29 abut the respective folded edges of the opposed Stringer to either side of the fastener elements centrally of the head portions so as to provide a completely covered fastener construction which is substantially water-proof and dust-proof.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a continuous filament type fastener constructed in such a manner that the fastener elements are unsyrnmetrical in cross section and covered on one or both sides by a tape. Thus, it will be seen that this tape covers completely the material from which the fastener is made so as to protect the same from heat to which fasteners oftentimes are subjected, especially during ironing or pressing and, at the same time, a seam-like closure is provided which results in a neat appearing application.

While there is shown and described several embodiments which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these embodiments are merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms can be devised within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

l claim:

1. A Stringer for a slide fastener comprising a filamentary structure having a series of substantially U-shaped scoop portions arranged one behind the other substantially in parallel relation wherein the legs of said scoop portions provide two series of transverse portions disposed in juxtaposition with the transverse portions in each series being substantially parallel to one another,

the inner end of each of said transverse portions in each of said series being connected only to the inner end of a preceding transverse portion and, the inner end of each of the opposed transverse portions in the other series being connected only to a succeeding transverse portion so as to provide a series of heel portions,

an arcuated saddle-like portion arranged in each of the transverse portions of at least one series inwardly of said heel portions so that the cross section of the structure is unsymmetrical,

an elongated flexible member positioned in said saddle-like portions which are adapted to act as a locator and seat therefor,

an elongated tape arranged on the opposite side of said flexible member from said transverse portions, and means for attaching said flexible member and said tape to both series of said transverse portions.

2. In a Stringer for a slide fastener, the combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the flexible member to the tape and to both series of transverse portions consists of a longitudinal line of stitching passing through the marginal edge portion of the tape, the flexible member and between and around the transverse portions.

3. In a Stringer for a slide fastener, the combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the margin edge portion of the tape extends outwardly beyond the flexible member and partially overlies the U-shape scoop portions so aS to partially cover the same on one side thereof.

4. In a Stringer for a slide fastener, the combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible member consists of a longitudinally extending cord.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,149,387 9/ 1964 Ruhrmann. 3,149,389 9/ 1964 Steingrubner.

FOREIGN PATENTS 568,859 7/1958 Belgium. 110,777 4/ 1961 Pakistan. 367,782 4/ 1963 Switzerland.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STRINGER FOR A SLIDE FSTENER COMPRISING A FILAMENTARY STRUCTURE HAVING A SERIES OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED SCOOP PORTIONS ARRANGED ONE BEHIND THE OTHER SUBSTANTIALLY IN PARALLEL RELATION WHEREIN THE LEGS OF SAID SCOOP PORTIONS PROVIDE TWO SERIES OF TRANSVERSE PORTIONS DISPOSED IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH THE TRANSVERSE PORTIONS IN EACH SERIES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER, THE INNER END OF EACH OF SAID TRANSVERSE PORTIONS IN EACH OF SAID SERIES BEING CONNECTED ONLY TO THE INNER END OF A PRECEDING TRANSVERSE PORTION AND, THE INNER END OF EACH OF THE OPPOSED TRANSVERSE PORTIONS IN THE OTHER SERIES BEING CONNECTED ONLY TO A SUCCEEDING TRANSVERSE PORTION SO AS TO PROVIDE A SERIES OF HEEL PORTIONS, AN ARCUATED SADDLE-LIKE PORTION ARRANGED IN EACH OF THE TRANSVERSE PORTIONS OF AT LEAST ONE SERIES INWARDLY OF SAID HEEL PORTIONS SO THAT THE CROSS SECTION OF THE STRUCTURE IS UNSYMMETRICAL, AN ELONGTED FLEXIBLE MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID SADDLE-LIKE PORTIONS WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO ACT AS A LOCATOR AND SEAT THEREFOR, AN ELONGATED TAPE ARRANGED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER FROM SAID TRANSVERSE PORTIONS, AND MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER AND SAID TAPE TO BOTH SERIES OF SAID TRANSVERSE PORTIONS. 